Dr. Norman E. Bussell Ph.D. Jr.

1947 - 2021

DR. NORMAN E. BUSSELL JR. PHD, D.O. US ARMY COLONEL (RET)
March 14, 1947 - March 17, 2021

A child of the '60s, Norman Bussell was born in Bell, Calif., and spent his younger years in Los Angeles. He often bragged that he saw groups like Simon & Garfunkel before they were SIMON AND GARFUNKLE. He loved the folk music era. When he danced he used his whole body. Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond was a religious experience for him. And his Donald Duck impersonation delighted kids big and small.

As he made his way through school and his career, he developed a love for golf and claimed to be pretty good. His first car was a brand new 1964 Mustang GT. He often drove it to Bakersfield to visit his grandparents, Susie and James Bussell, and his aunts, uncles and cousins on the Bussell Ranch. And he loved to fly. He often said there was nothing like being up among the clouds.

In 1969, he received his bachelors in chemistry from Cal State Long Beach. In 1975, he received his PhD in bio chemistry from the University of Texas Graduate School of Bio Medical Sciences. He received his DDS from the University of Texas Dental Branch in Houston in 1976. He entered active duty in the U.S Army Institute of Dental Research at Walter Reed in 1976. Following were multiple tours that included Korea and Panama during operation Just Cause. As a lieutenant colonel, he returned to medical school and in 1994, he graduated with honors from the College of Osteopathic Medicine in Des Moines, Iowa. He became board certified in both Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease.

After completing various fellowships, he completed his training as a flight surgeon and was assigned Command Surgeon, U.S. Army Forces Central Command Kuwait. In 2001, he returned to Walter Reed Army Institute, where he served as Chief of Quality Assurance for the Division of Experimental Therapeutics. In 2002, he assumed command of the California Medical Detachment in Monterey. His final assignment was Commander Eastern Sector HQ U.S. Military Entrance Processing (MEPS) in Chicago, where in 2005 he retired from active duty as a colonel. Over his military career he received multiple meritorious conduct awards and other awards, including a Bronze Star. Multiple Meritorious Conduct Awards. And received the military Legion of Meri.

In 2005, he moved to Bakersfield, to be near family and friends. Never one to be still for long, Dr. Bussell went to work for Clinica Sierra Vista as an infectious disease specialist. He was part of the CSV Hurricane response team in Kirbyville, Texas. When opportunity knocked in 2012, he went to work for Lake Havasu Regional Medical Center as an internal medicine physician. When asked why a physician who was board certified in infectious disease wanted to work in an internal medicine position, he responded, "I treat the whole patient, not just the infectious disease." Most recently, he served as the medical director at ArcPoint Labs in Bakersfield.

Norman is preceded in death by his mother, Hazel Chesnut, and Norman E. Bussell Sr. Left to celebrate his memory are his wife, Elaine McNearney; his three children, Shannon and husband, Raymond Reyes; Clayton Bussell and wife, Jamie; and Andrew Bussell; grandchildren Kaylee and Sophia Reyes, and CJ and Jackson Bussell; brother-in-law John McNearney and wife Caron; and many other family and friends.

His wife, Elaine, would like to thank His "Office Wives" from Lake Havasu, Laurie Rodriguez, Kathline Bissell and Sarah Smith, who dropped everything and came to Bakersfield to help Norman in his final hours; Dr. Patel and the staff at CBCC; the staff at Dignity Health Infusion Center; and Hoffman Hospice.

Norman always said that he was "just the pretty face at the office." But we know he was an amazing physician, who helped many, many people during his long career.

Viewing will be March 24, from 9 to 11 a.m., with graveside service following at Greenlawn Cemetery on River Blvd. Please wear your mask. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to your favorite charity and going forward that you help others heal from life's many challenges.